Jerry Lawler Explains Why WWE Stars Don’t Make Indy Appearances

– Jerry Lawler discussed AJ Styles’ appearance at the NWA Wildside Reunion show on Saturday, why WWE stars don’t do indy shows often and more on his latest podcast. The highlights are below:

On WWE as independent contractors: “When you sign a contract with WWE, it’s pretty much exclusive. However, WWE wrestlers are, technically tax-wise, considered independent contractors. In that sense, you are really truly, supposedly, work wherever you want to. But it’s just an understanding, and it’s in the contract, that WWE will basically keep you booked where you’re not available to do anything else.”

On Styles’ appearance at the NWA Wildside Reunion show: “I think they call them ‘third-party appearances.’ That’s been a long-standing thing that if somebody else wants to book, say for instance AJ Styles, I’m sure what they did was call the office and made an offer. Then the office will look and see if it’s a viable thing; if AJ isn’t working that night.”

On why WWE stars don’t appear at indy shows often: “And why you don’t see WWE superstars at these shows, the reasons are money, it’s prohibitive for a promoter to be able to pay these guys what WWE is asking. And usually when these shows happen are on the weekend, when WWE are running their shows. Or a day off; days off are few and far between. They relish a day off; they wouldn’t want to do a third-party appearance on their day off.”